Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-10
ON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISERS

lieving the party bound by every consider
alton of honor and justice to this settle
ment, but he was not in favor of breaking
down our noble charities, our schools, and
the pittance paid disabled soldiers. "We
cannot" he said, ''repudiate debts like
these"
MALONE.
He ridicnled Mahone's one-man power in
language that brought down the house. If
the Democracy of the State was defeated
this time, it meant the return of Malone to
power. He would control the patronage of
the State, and debauch the entire political
and social machinery of the State. If we
lose Virginia next fall, it would almost be
certainly carried against us in the national
Democracy in 1888. He gave the Sher-
mans, Forakers and Fairchilds, rasping
that brought out applause and stated that
Malone was in favor of Sherman for Presi-
dent.
Cleveland, he said, had done more to OBJ
literate sectional strife, than all his prede-
cessors. He had firmly re-established the
union of States. He said when the Phila-
delphia brigade proposed to erect monu-
ment to the memory of Armistead on the
spot upon which he fell, it was time for the
Forakers, Fairchilds, and Shermans to hang
their heads. He appealed to the people of
Virginia to place their feet upon Malone
/ Republicanism, and in the name of safety
and honor he implored his hearers to acquit
themselves with honor, and go forth upon
a crusade to fire the hearts of the people
| for the impending struggle.
He begged his brethren to call to the
| front that noble old war-horse, John S.
Barbour, who has led us to victory before,
and we would win again. Concluding, he
said, in the language of Grover Cleveland,
''It shall be DONE"
| HoNORs TO MR.. BARBOUR.
| On motion of Mr.. T. r. B, Wright, of
Essex, Hon. John S. Barbour, amidst great
| enthusiasm, was nominated as chairman of
the Democratic party of Virginia. Mr..
| Wright made an excellent speech, advising
work, and fore-telling victory of the party.
COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS.
| The chairman of the committee On Gre
dentials, reported that 563 members were
present. On motion of General Field the
report was received.
| LIEUTENANT-GOvERN MASSEY
was called, and made an attempt to refuse
so speak The attempt was futile, and was
drowned amidst calls for "Massey," who
entertained the convention iu a well-timed
1
tilate the debt question.
| He was very scathing in his denunciation
of the commission which met the legislative
committee. They did not own bond, but
were simply brokers. They did not repre-
sent single bond, but he was glad that
| the commission had met. He had never
favored the Riddleberger bill, but when the
sovereign voice of the people passed upon
| it, he, as representative Of the people, ac-
cepted it. When the commission refuse
the Riddlebarger bill, then he was free to
confess that he never would consent to that
l settlement even. He wanted the war in
terest and reconstruction interest eliminated.
The war interest ought never to have been
allowed. Virginia should have been cred.
tied with what she had paid, with q credit
with the time she was dismembered. He
claimed that if this had been done, the
debt would not be more than ten miller
dollars. Yet if the bondholders had ac
cepted the Riddeberger bill he would have
acQuiesced. He was willing to give then
time, but he was not willing to give then
eternity. He was wiling 80 meet every
obligation, if the bondholders would come
in and fund. II not, they must stand ont
side and knock for adnlittance.
| At $50 o'clock the convention to3ka re
cess.
To .night there will be public speaking a
the Skating Rink by Gen. W. II. f. Lee
G. T. O'Ferral, DR.. S. II. Moffett, DR.. M
@. Holt, and others.
EVENING SESSION.
/ The convention met at o'clsck this
evening, and in response to callsils could
not be withstood, Hon. John W. anie
came forward and made timely eech
He charged M. Carlisle with the ds'eat of
the Blair bill, and boldly declared that this
was the reason that he had not given him
his vote when a vote of thanks was offered
Carlisle as Speaker. He declared against
the decision of the courts concerning the
/ debt question, and announced that he wa
in the cause, heart and soul, and was enl isl
ed under Barbour's banner in the com ing
fight. The Democratic party had moth ipg
), to fear except its own lazness and preoc
cupation. But when he saw farmer, nec-
hanic. editor, and others side by side he had
no fear Of defeat.
Hon. Jno. T. Harris next took the floor
and made very telling speech, which pro
voked great applause. He was strongly
eulogistio of CleVeland's administration
decle 'ng that be was like the Irishmans
dueh. al hell, and the black Republican
BAR. CaGell offered a resolution authoriz
ing the chairman Of the Executive Com,
mittee to enlarge the committee from seven
to ten, and it was adopted. Hon. 3. John
sou Barbour, by request, addressed the con.
yention. These speeches filled the wait
caused by the failure OF the committee or
platform and resolutions TO report E,x
Judge Waller r. Staples made the last
speech.
| THE PLATFORM.
/ The following platform was adopted:
The Democratic party Of Vih gina, in Goa.
/ vention assembled, congratulate the people
upon the continued enjoyment CT the bless
ings of good government, secured By Tie
restoration Of a Democratic administration,
State and Federal. Again invoking the
popular verdict in its behalf, we point with
pride and confidence to u record Of pledges,
faithfully performed, aud to the guarantee
of good government which il offers;
/. The wise, conservative, fearless, aud
honest administration of Grover Cleveland,
President Of the United States, deserves
and will receive, the cordial support OF the
Democracy of Virginia.
! 9, We demand the immediate repeal OF
the in.esnsl revenue system, relic Of the
war, and no longs Eecessary to meet the
demands of the government, BECAUSE il is
oppressive, fosters monopolies, ana is
antsgouistic to the interests of our people.
! 8. We favor raising the revenue requisite
for the support OF the Federal Government
| By tariff upon imports, limited to the ne
eessities Of 8 government economically al
ministered. and SO adjusted in its applica-
ton as to prevent unt qnal burdens, eneour-
age productive interests at home, the deve-
| lopnent Of our material resources, aud af
ford just compensation to labor, bat not to
! foster moDopGljes.
| .tls. We approve the action Of tho Gen
| eral Assembly st its extra session in 1887,
in refusing TO accept the terms proposed by
4 the bondholders in connection with tie set
! Element of the public debt. The Demo-
CRATIC party will never support OF sanction
any adjustment c. the debt which shall
i'm pose larger liabilities upon this Common
wealth than that recognized and provided
for by the Riddiebefger bill, and we pledge
the putty to enact AL laws necessary to
render such a settlement effective, final and
decisive.